Taipei: Taiwan remained on high military alert on Tuesday even as Chinese warships and aircraft began pulling back after days of large scale military drills around the island.
Taiwanese defence officials said the situation was still tense because China has not officially declared the end of the exercises. Surveillance and emergency response systems continue to operate at full strength to monitor any sudden changes.
The drills, described by China as routine, were among the biggest seen in recent years. They involved fighter jets, naval vessels and missile forces operating close to Taiwan, with several aircraft crossing the unofficial median line of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan called the moves a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Although some Chinese ships were seen leaving nearby waters, Taiwan said the withdrawal appeared partial and cautious. Authorities stressed that experience from previous exercises shows activity can resume quickly without warning.
China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed what it calls separatist actions and foreign support for the island. Taiwan, which governs itself, rejects these claims and says only its people can decide their future.
International concern has also grown. Several countries urged restraint and warned that large military drills increase the risk of miscalculation in one of the world’s busiest shipping and aviation routes.
Analysts say the latest drills send a strong political signal and underline growing pressure on Taiwan amid wider tensions between China and Western allies in the Indo Pacific region.
For now, Taiwan’s military says it will stay alert and prepared, while calling for calm and dialogue to avoid further escalation between China and Taiwan.